That's not true. My friends got Japanese citizenship, and they were Chinese.

Sorry for the use of hyperbole, I said "basically" like a Japanese person, I know most of the ways to become a citizen involves your ancestry and you have to live in Japan for quite a significant amount of time and know a lot about the language and culture. If I recall correctly, it is quite strict so your friend did a very good job attaining a citizenship! Point is, I don't think Tran could/want to become a citizen, I think him and Takahashi still train in Canada

--This was a very pleasant competition to watch. (I missed the first Russian couple and most of the Italian pair, though). I had low expectations due to so many "newbies" in the lineup, but wow, even with mistakes, the pairs delivered.

--K/S were gorgeous. Well deserved first place. I have never been a particular fan of theirs, but watching this, I almost forgot it was a competition, it was mesmerizing. And I don't think Clair de Lune is the easiest piece of music to interpret well. I think it will be very competitive with the best this season, as long as it's skated pretty cleanly. I AM BUMMED that they will not be at the GPF Final in Beijing, as I would love to see this program live.

--Loved E/L, they just need to get this program cleaned up. And yes, change that death spiral to something more aesthetic.

--Impressed with everybody else. T/T of course. G/E--wow, in such a short time, Fairy Pairs Godmother has worked them into a pretty competent pair already. Agreed they have a future. Also liked the young Canadian and American pairs--hope they stick with training and getting more experience, and look forward to seeing them next season.

That's not true. My friends got Japanese citizenship, and they were Chinese.

You are oversimplifying. My understanding is that Japan has a residency minimum time requirement for applicants for citizenship, and due to living and training in Canada, there is no way that Mervin can qualify in time for the Olympics. Due to lack of suitable elite-level coaching in Japan for pairs, moving to Japan and training is not a realistic option for them, either. Unless the appropriate Japanese government entity makes a special exemption (I do not know if their regulations allow for exemptions), Mervin won't become a Japanese citizen and so the 2014 Olympics is out for them. It is unfortunate.

Another issue: I believe Mervin is a Canadian citizen (someone correct me if wrong), and while Canada allows dual citizenship, for adults Japan does not. Mervin may not wish to give up his current citizenship, which carries some value. One cannot say this is the same state of affairs for holders of Chinese citizenship, many of whom are doing everything they can to find and carry a different country's passport.

There's something about the two of them that makes me uncomfortable. She is so emaciated and the expression on her face is so removed- almost dead. The close up of her face at the very end of the program- she looks like a woman who is being pursued by a man she is not emotionally interested in so she's thinking of god and country to get through it. This in contrast with his swarthy and almost overpowering attempts to gain that attention- especially when he tries to kiss her cheek. There's just an emotional disconnect that I feel between the two of them- even when their bodies are skating in unison.

That sounds so dramatic, but I kind of agree. Yuko's expression at the end was weird... very cold and distant. I liked her long dress, mainly because it drew attention away from the fact that she looks sickly.

The position of K/S's last lift just didn't work (awkward and unfortunate looking) and I'm assuming they received no points for it because it came to a grinding halt. They also had a collision on the triple twist, like usual. Aside from that, they were easily the class of the field.

Takahashi & Tran get rewarded because they are one of the only teams that has good stretch, especially in lifts, and doesn't have random bent legs everywhere. Still, for them to win two GP medals with only a throw 3T and a double twist says something about the qualify of the field this year.

I'm happy for Evora & Ladwig to have received their first ever GP medal. It wasn't that great of a skate for them, but they didn't need it in this weaker field. I know they are concentrated on levels and what not, but I don't like that new bent leg position on the star lift. The death spiral was wonky and bent kneed. I don't love the program, but I do love that music, no matter how overused.

After the super low scoring yesterday, it's like the programs were all scored high today to make up for it.

You are oversimplifying. My understanding is that Japan has a residency minimum time requirement for applicants for citizenship, and due to living and training in Canada, there is no way that Mervin can qualify in time for the Olympics. Due to lack of suitable elite-level coaching in Japan for pairs, moving to Japan and training is not a realistic option for them, either. Unless the appropriate Japanese government entity makes a special exemption (I do not know if their regulations allow for exemptions), Mervin won't become a Japanese citizen and so the 2014 Olympics is out for them. It is unfortunate.

Another issue: I believe Mervin is a Canadian citizen (someone correct me if wrong), and while Canada allows dual citizenship, for adults Japan does not. Mervin may not wish to give up his current citizenship, which carries some value. One cannot say this is the same state of affairs for holders of Chinese citizenship, many of whom are doing everything they can to find and carry a different country's passport.

That was certainly a beautifully skated long program by Kavaguti and Smirnov. Really gorgeous music and choreography and technical elements all executed, but...

There's something about the two of them that makes me uncomfortable. She is so emaciated and the expression on her face is so removed- almost dead. The close up of her face at the very end of the program- she looks like a woman who is being pursued by a man she is not emotionally interested in so she's thinking of god and country to get through it. This in contrast with his swarthy and almost overpowering attempts to gain that attention- especially when he tries to kiss her cheek. There's just an emotional disconnect that I feel between the two of them- even when their bodies are skating in unison.

I agree. I don't know what it is but something about Kavaguti that i just can't warm up to.

K/S had two lifts with adagio portions. I think they're only allowed one lift that has a stop in rotation, hence the invalid element.

My guess is that Smirnov lowered his lifting arm before a full revolution (1 rev for the man is the minimum for a lift to be counted), which is a big no-no. When the man begins to bend the arm after full extension, the lift is over. Check out the lift here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44iuM3733VA#t=4m13s
I skate at the same rink as the technical specialist, so I will ask him on Monday!